Source: Government widens second-hand car import ban – herald
Farirai Machivenyika, machivenyikafari@gmail.com
THE Government has expanded the ban on the importation of second hand vehicles aged 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, extending the restriction to include vehicles designed to carry 10 or more passengers, among other specified categories.
The prohibition is contained in Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026, cited as the Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No 15), which was recently gazetted by Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu.
“Second-hand vehicles aged 10 years and above from the date of manufacture classified under headings specified in the Second Schedule shall not be imported,” reads part of the statutory instrument.
Vehicles listed in the Second Schedule include those principally designed for the transport of persons, such as station wagons and racing cars, as well as double-cab vehicles powered by diesel or semi-diesel engines and petrol-powered twin- cabs.
The regulations further apply to vehicles designed for the transport of goods, including those powered by compression ignition internal combustion piston engines with a payload not exceeding 800 kilogrammes, as well as similar vehicles with a payload exceeding 800 kilogrammes but not more than 1 400 kilogrammes.
Minister Ndlovu said that irrespective of administrative delays or pending processes with other statutory authorities, no import licence will be issued for vehicles that fall under the ban.
“Notwithstanding any administrative delays or processes pending with any other statutory authority, no import licence shall be issued for motor vehicles referred to in subsection 1 (those that are 10 years or older and listed in the second schedule),” reads the statutory instrument.
He added that vehicles imported in contravention of the regulations must be re-exported by the owner at their own cost.
“If any second-hand motor vehicle is not re-exported within 60 days, such vehicle shall be deemed forfeited to the State subject to the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act,” he said.
However, the regulations provide exemptions for specific categories of vehicles, including those inherited from deceased estates, vehicles owned by diplomats returning to Zimbabwe after foreign postings, and vintage vehicles as defined under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act.
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